Indian masters athlete demands new governing body in letter to the editor

Sprinter Opinder Sekhon of the far north Indian city of Chandigarh could have written a letter to the editor about any issue in the nation of 1.3 billion. But no. She writes about masters track. So it’s notable that her letter to The Tribune of India calls out authorities. She writes: “The Sports Authority of India should form a masters’ athletics organisation in the country. Veteran athletes are fed up with the three organisations simultaneously running in and around Chandigarh. The new organisation should have elected members. Master athletes are roped in for the well-being of senior athletes. Unfortunately, they have been left frustrated due to ill-treatment meted out to them.” No details of the bad treatment, but in the past, we’ve gotten earful about the pay-to-play aspects of getting permission to represent India in WMA world meets. (Yes, they don’t need permission. But tell that to the various governing bodies, which supposedly were being taken over.) In any case, bully for Opinder for speaking up.

About the Author

Ken has followed track as an athlete, writer and webmaster since the late 1960s, and saw most sessions of track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also attended the 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Trials. He worked for 10 newspapers and now reports for Times of San Diego. Write him at TrackCEO@aol.com or kens@timesofandiego.com. Story tips always welcome!

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Yup! Politicians, she believes, “owe us an answer,” and so she, in her own very Terry Gross way will “keep asking and re-asking and asking, and maybe I’ll ask it in separate ways, and maybe I’ll point out that they haven’t yet answered the question.” https://t.co/5Jr9BdvtBx